Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-18
School we find there is great risk of life to the in
habitants OF the dormtorfes, situated as they are

ooi'oAeS VI Itio uoIWlVOr1eSs SITUATED as tney are
In tne upper stories OF the buildings And consid-
ering the Large number In each, and the limited
egreSS, being only one small door at the extreme
end % OF each and In the event Of them passing the
wooden stairway would in case OF panic, or in
the event OF 1re at the lower part Of the stairs
receive no assistance from the ire department It
Is an absolute necessity that there be placed
ample and convenient iron lre-escapes at the rear
vi eacn wing, 1rom the upper stories And to pre-
vent complete destruction OF the building, on
account OF It's isolated position there should be
Pro made lot an ample supply OF water on
Ine premises, ana one or more steam-pumpS OF
sumclent capacity to control a IRE when origt.
natlng In any part OF the premises
THE THRATERs.
In the examination Of the National Theater-
we md ample exits, except from the top tier OF
galleries. and with that one exception every pre-
caution seems to have been taken for ample exits.
ana the sarety OF the audience in case OF fire. The
stage Is arranged to be completely cut OF from
cenium wall is OF brick and the opening provided
with an asbestos curtain. The top gallery should
have relief in case OF panic, which can be done by
constructing Iron stairs and platforms in the west
court, and which could also In it's course have a
platform from the first tier OF galleries This, II
done, would IN our opinion, place this entire house
In safe and complete condition as to the care and
safety Of the audience
In making an examination OF the "Albaugh's
stairway recently placed from the main audi
COrlum room on the south and the order to use the
ooors IN case OF panic, leading to the stairways
But being situated, with the main foor on what
may be termed the second story, panic might
sarways are Situated benT dved Na n tSe me'n en1e
height from the auditorium by brick wall and
tne stairways OF irOn is security to the audience
, Mnen they pass to this point, but panic might
Therefore, as further precaution, we would
recommend platform across the front on level
with the hall door of the main auditorium cover
ing tne space between towers, and not less than
swenty s,Se esN ieet wide provided with fight Of
CMS building we do not consider that proper pro-
lection IS given to the audience In case OF re on
the stage.
lathing to prevent fire passing to the front; but
the curtain opening being without protection.
heving only drapery, the precaution taken by
tect the audience. We are therefore OF the opinion
that they should be required toprovide an asbestos
curtain, 10 drop In case OF IRE at rear.
avenue northwest We find provided with sufficient
exits put there Is one point on the interior that
should be changed. The audience from the gal
lery meeting those from the main floor as they
pass out of the doors on both sides cause pack
ing at that point. To remedy that, to a certain
extent, the doors should be set back, forming re-
cess or VeSt1Dule the depth OF the doors when
opening out. This can be done without any detri-
ment to the main floor; and further that all OBJ
eys Won 70 peSder tS ee a%aa ph we De
not sufficient protection to the audience from a
IRE should one occur on the stage To give the
proper protection the proscenium wall, which is
OF wood, should be continued to the apex OF the
roof and be lined on the stage side, with coat
Ing OF asbestos fiber, and over that covering OF
asbestos curtain. The space between floors under
the stage should be treated in the same manner.
The stairway for exit, from stage to street, needs
TO De renewed, the same constructed OF iron pro-
vided with substantial hand-rail. There is con-
siderable cOmbusttble material stored under the
stage that should be removed.
N 1fnot tod
corner 11th and C streets northwest is, we think,
taking its capacity into consideration, provided
with SUFFICIENT exits from main auditorium; but
we do not think the exit from the gallery ts sui-
cient, and therefore recommend that suitable hre
escapes be constructed from the gallery OF what
- known as kernan,s Theater. While this theater
recommended for the large theaters It Is scarcely
necessary to exact it.
The Dime Museum or Capital Theater. on D
street, between 11th ana 18th streets northwest.
is wefind after careful examination, in a dilapi-
dated condition, with very narrow aises, and In
SUFFICIENT exits, and not at all suited to the pur-
said building, while in its present condition, be
longer used for theatrical purposes
OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED.
The report describes an inspection made OF Mr..
Patrick Manns fertilizer factory, near Giesboro
Point, and says the proprietor has promised TO
remedy the evils most complained Of The re-
port commends the condition and management OF
the United States JAIL suggesting only an Inn
provement in the arrangements for ventilation In
Of
ments also the management OF the wOrkhOuse and
almShOuSe
Mr.. Davis supplemented the report by stating
that the members OF the grand jury thought that
II the court would endorse their recommendations
the subjects would be considered by the proper
parties.
The court thanked the jurors for the very ex-
hauStive report, and returned thanks for the man
ner in which they had discharged their duties.